MEN AT WORK: South African men are learning to tell stories and raise a generation of readers

The Nal’ibali Men’s Literacy Imbizo initiative is empowering South African fathers and male role models to play a more active role in their children's education by promoting the importance of reading and storytelling. The programme, launched in 2022, aims to combat the country's literacy crisis by teaching men the skills and tools to foster a love for reading and creating a culture of reading for enjoyment in their communities.

Madoda Ndlakuse, an author and community development coordinator for Nal’ibali, has been instrumental in establishing workshops across six towns in the Eastern Cape and other regions in the Western Cape. Ndlakuse observed that men were not adequately involved in their children's literacy journeys during previous literacy conferences and saw the need to address this gap.

He emphasized that children's education should be a collective responsibility, not solely the duty of mothers, teachers, and the Department of Basic Education.

At the Imbizo workshops, men learn to read aloud and tell stories to children, as well as engage in play-based learning activities. Ndlakuse and his team also encourage reflection on personal early childhood memories related to reading. Librarian Ntsika Scott from Nelson Mandela Bay Libraries discovered the workshops while working at a library and appreciated that they focused on the broader aspects of literacy, such as accessing books and stories for leisure and personal growth.

The initiative has also helped to address the disparities in language development and exposure to reading materials between children from lower-income and more financially stable families. Thando Mkoyi, a board member of Dlala Tata, an early childhood development organisation, praised Ndlakuse's work and appreciated the resources provided by Nal’ibali to help his organisation empower families with the importance of reading aloud and storytelling.

According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study's 2023 findings, 81% of South Africa's Grade 4 pupils struggle with reading for meaning. The Men’s Literacy Imbizo is one of the strategies employed to tackle this literacy crisis. Ndlakuse shared a personal anecdote of his daughter, who, inspired by her father, wrote a book at the age of six and was shortlisted in the children’s category of the South African Literary Awards.

He emphasized that education can take place within families and highlighted the significance of men taking leadership and ownership of their children's literacy journeys.